TAMPA, Fla, (AP) — Aaron Boone says his New York Yankees are “hell bent on being a champion” after missing the playoffs for the first time since 2016. New York started spring training Wednesday still in search of its first title since 2009. The Yankees went 82-20 last year, nearly finishing with a losing record for the first time 1992. …

TOKYO (AP) — Activists and LGBTQ+ community members handed out colorful chocolate candy for Valentine’s Day in Tokyo on Wednesday, marking the fifth anniversary of the launch of a legal battle to achieve marriage equality for same-sex couples. Japan is the only member of the Group of Seven nations that still excludes same-sex couples from the right to legally marry …

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A New Mexico judge warned special prosecutors and defense attorneys Wednesday that she will not consider any more motions as the court prepares for the involuntary manslaughter trial of the weapons supervisor on the “Rust” movie set when Alec Baldwin fatally shot the cinematographer during rehearsal. State District Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer was stern with …